Shark Rock Pier

A Bit About Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is best known as a holiday destination with the warm, blue sea of Algoa Bay, its miles of coastline, sandy beaches, great swimming and diving, yachting, windsurfing and all manner of water sports.

The city is also home to all the land based sports such as rugby (South Africa's first rugby international was played here), cricket (St George's Park is the oldest cricket ground in the country), bowls (the oldest green too), several golf courses including a true links course, tennis squash, athletics, cycling and more. In the area are venues for 4x4, off road and quad biking.

For those who like walking and bird watching, Cape Recife Nature reserve is practically on Ashbourne Manor's doorstep and includes the Roseate Tern Trail, a 9 kilometer walk (which can be broken into stages) along the beach, through the reserve to a hide where the water fowl can be watched and past the lighthouse and up to a Second World War observation point on the dunes.

There are numbers of other walking trails available, both in the city (such as the Donkin Heritage Trail, a tour of Port Elizabeth's history and architectural legacy as well as the Ghost Tour for those who are interested in the paranormal), on the beaches or through the city's forested areas.

Within its boundaries Port Elizabeth also offers a game reserve, a lion park and a beautiful animal farm which is a huge attraction for the children.

The Addo Elephant National Park can be easily visited on a day trip (40 minutes' drive to the Colchester entrance) while 40 minutes in the other direction lies the surfing mecca of Jeffrey's Bay and beyond it, Cape St Francis with its lighthouse and penguin rehabilitation centre, both of which can be visited.

For those with a 4x4 and a couple of days to spare, the fabulous Baviaanskloof Wilderness area beckons.